Adding a movie to your favorites list on Letterboxd signifies more than just liking a film; it’s a declaration of enduring admiration. This simple act signals to the world (and, more importantly, yourself) which films have truly resonated with you, shaping your cinematic identity and influencing your future viewing habits.
The Process: Adding a Movie to Your Favorites
The process of marking a movie as a favorite on Letterboxd is incredibly straightforward, designed for seamless integration into your viewing experience. There are two primary methods, both easily accessible on both the website and mobile app:
Method 1: Adding from a Movie Page
This is the most common and direct approach. It’s perfect for when you’re already browsing a movie’s details:
- Navigate to the Movie Page: Search for the movie you wish to add to your favorites. You can do this using the search bar at the top of the screen or by clicking on a movie from a list, such as your friend’s watched films or a genre category.
- Locate the “Heart” Icon: On the movie page, you’ll see a large, prominent image of the film’s poster. Beneath the poster, you’ll find a row of icons. The one that looks like a heart is what you’re looking for.
- Click the Heart Icon: Clicking the heart will instantly mark the movie as a favorite. The heart will change appearance to indicate it’s now active, often becoming filled in or changing color.
Method 2: Adding from a Log
This method is ideal if you’ve already logged the film as watched:
- Access Your Diary: Navigate to your profile and select the “Diary” tab. This displays a chronological list of all the films you’ve logged.
- Find the Relevant Log Entry: Scroll through your diary to locate the entry for the movie you want to favorite.
- Click the Heart Icon: Within the log entry, you’ll find the same heart icon as on the movie page. Clicking it will add the film to your favorites.
Why Add a Movie to Your Favorites?
While seemingly insignificant, adding a movie to your favorites has several benefits within the Letterboxd ecosystem:
- Personal Record: It serves as a valuable personal record of your most cherished films. You can easily refer back to this list to recall your cinematic loves.
- Profile Representation: Your favorites are prominently displayed on your profile, providing a quick snapshot of your taste to other users.
- Recommendations and Discovery: Letterboxd’s algorithm uses your favorites (and other data) to generate personalized movie recommendations.
- Community Engagement: Sharing your favorites allows you to connect with other users who share similar tastes and discover new films.
- Setting a Mood: For some, a film listed as a favorite is more than just enjoyment, it is a way to set a personal mood, highlight certain feelings, or even be a snapshot of a particular time in their lives.
Tips for Curating Your Favorites
Your favorites list is a reflection of your cinematic soul, so treat it with care:
- Be Selective: Don’t add every movie you enjoy. Save your favorites for truly exceptional films that have a lasting impact.
- Revisit and Re-evaluate: Periodically review your favorites and consider whether they still hold the same appeal. Don’t be afraid to remove movies that no longer resonate.
- Consider Context: Think about why you love a particular movie. Is it the acting, the directing, the story, or something else? The more thoughtful you are, the more meaningful your favorites list will be.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Be Eccentric: Your favorites are your own. Don’t worry about what other people think. Embrace your unique taste!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about adding movies to your favorites on Letterboxd, designed to address common queries and clarify potential confusion:
H3 FAQ 1: Can I have more than four favorites?
Yes, absolutely! The initial display on your profile is limited to four featured favorites, but viewers can click “See all” to view your entire list. There is no limit to the number of movies you can add to your favorites.
H3 FAQ 2: How do I choose my featured favorites?
Your four featured favorites are the first four movies you mark as favorites. To change them, simply unfavorite the movies you no longer wish to feature and then re-favorite them in the order you want them to appear.
H3 FAQ 3: Can I see which of my friends have favorited a particular movie?
Yes, you can! When viewing a movie’s page, look for the “Liked by…” section. This will show you which of your friends have favorited that movie.
H3 FAQ 4: Is there a way to sort my favorites list?
Currently, Letterboxd does not offer native sorting options for your favorites list. They are displayed in the order you favorited them. However, you can manually rearrange them by unfavoriting and re-favoriting in your desired order.
H3 FAQ 5: Can I add a movie to my favorites without logging it as watched?
Yes, you can! You don’t need to log a movie as watched to add it to your favorites. You can simply search for the movie and add it from its movie page.
H3 FAQ 6: What happens if I remove a movie from my favorites?
Removing a movie from your favorites simply removes it from your favorites list. It does not affect your diary entries or any other data associated with that movie.
H3 FAQ 7: Can other people see my favorites?
Yes, your favorites are publicly visible on your profile unless your profile is set to private.
H3 FAQ 8: Does adding a movie to my favorites increase its rating on Letterboxd?
No, adding a movie to your favorites does not directly impact its overall rating on Letterboxd. The rating is based on the average rating given by all users who have logged and rated the film.
H3 FAQ 9: I can’t find the heart icon. Where is it?
The heart icon is consistently located either beneath the movie poster on the movie’s page or within the log entry in your diary. If you’re having trouble finding it, ensure you’re viewing the correct page and not a list or search result.
H3 FAQ 10: Can I add TV shows or series to my favorites?
No, Letterboxd primarily focuses on feature-length films. You cannot add TV shows or series to your favorites list.
H3 FAQ 11: Is adding a movie to my favorites the same as adding it to my watchlist?
No, adding a movie to your favorites and adding it to your watchlist are two distinct actions. Adding a movie to your watchlist indicates that you intend to watch it in the future, while adding it to your favorites signifies that you have already watched it and deeply enjoyed it.
H3 FAQ 12: Can I see a list of all the movies I’ve favorited in a particular year?
Unfortunately, Letterboxd doesn’t offer a filter to specifically show the movies you favorited in a certain year. You’d need to manually go through your favorites list and check the dates you favorited them.
By understanding the nuances of adding movies to your favorites on Letterboxd, you can curate a profile that accurately reflects your cinematic passions and connect with fellow film enthusiasts. Remember that your favorites are a personal statement, so choose wisely and enjoy the process of building your collection.